Outfit Post #1

Spent Monday at Armageddon after Sunday attempting to study, and Saturday afternoon at a friend's 18th. My friend wore the coolest outfit - pinstripe jeans and crocheted skull top. Saturday outfit + messy room:P

 

Monday: fun little dress I found at thrift store. Luckily it didn't shock Mother, too much. lol.

Armageddon was fun, but supposedly it's getting worse each year. All guds. I paid closer attention to what people were wearing although I don't think I can really tell a goth from a metal head. 

There were a group who came to promote SteamFest. They're not bringing it to New Zealand but I think the Aussies get it. They all looked amazing.

 I finally got a spikey cuff.

And I found some cool fairy charms for a dollar each. Dismantled cheap earrings from the dollar store et voila, fairy earrings:D

Symbols... eh?

This is probably not the best way to begin 'investigating'. I realize Bauhaus might have been the better way to start. But the whole anti-cross necklace thing has been bugging me for a while. Especially since nu-goths discovered leggings on tumblr.
I've been seeing these symbols (OMG maddness;conspiracy!) and really didn't know where they came from.

Reverse cross: 


On face value many people associate it with satanism. In fact, the Church of Satanism doesn't associate with this symbol. I'm not sure if any branches of satanism do, although they may use it to irritate Christians.
This is actually a Christian symbol of humility. St Peter was crucified upside down because he believed himself unworthy to be crucified as Jesus was. I'm sure there are some Christians out there that disagree, but like every one has their own flavour of goth,  every Christian has their own take on Christianity.
(Picture accessed from SymbolDictionary)


Pentagram:


Again, people often associate this with satanism. I think it is associated to an extent, but more often when inverted.
It is a Wiccan/Pagan symbol. It is also a symbol used by both Greeks and Christians. Pythagoras saw it as a way of dividing the human soul (as in fraction, not chopping), the five points representing the five elements. For early Christians it symbolized the wounds sustained by Christ at his crucifixion.
(Picture accessed from www.thirdcoastrs.com)

Ankh:

      The Egyptian hieroglyph for life. It is also known as the 'key of the Nile', 'key of life' 

    and is associated with rebirth in Egyptian text. Which makes sense, since the Nile 

     was/is Egypt's life force so to speak. It's also used by the Coptic Orthodox Church who are based in Alexandria.

  (Picture accessed from www.hennapaste.de) 

Other interesting symbols - (I have no idea if goths wear these. People wear whatever they like, so I suppose someone does)
+ Eye of Horus  - An Egyptian hieroglyph and ward against evil
+ Witch's Knot - I think this was sort of, adopted by modern witches, but was originally used as protection against witchcraft (little ironic, eh?) Whether it protects well or not depends on how accurately it's drawn in a single motion.
(Picture accessed from SymbolDictiomary)



I'm sorry if there are any inaccuracies. Feel free to comment if you have a different understanding, opinion or anything to share:)



Sources:
+ Encyclopedia Britannica Online
+ Symbol Dictionary symboldictionary.net
+ GreatScott.com

P.S. If this post was too long, please let me know. Thanks, Sorel:P

My Great Big Page of (absent) Knowledge

I am so nerdy, I decided to treat my 'invesitgations' like an English research project. I am probably one of the few people who can do this and still enjoy it :/

I thought at least this way, I can tackle it in itty-bits.

Wilkomenn! yes, the spelling error is most CERTAINLY intentional...

Hello world! (... wow, it echoes...)
                                 Welcome to my blog.

I guess this is intended for people interested in goth subculture - or who are at least tolerant. So if you're a hater, might be an idea to move on.

The aim of this blog? I'm trying to 'investigate' goth as a subculture, (while also determining whether my  interest in Goth and 'all things dark and spooky' is a long term love, or a short lived phase.) Every so often I'll share something random I don't understand and (hopefully) end up a little wiser(?). So if there are any fellow babybats (or other goths) out there and you have any thoughts or questions feel free to share.

And the name of the blog? As always, Mother has the Ideas. She described my change in attire as my 'alter ego', a slightly morbid side of my personality that I like to spring on unsuspecting acquaintances. (Poor you:)

All the best,
Sorel.